630-752-9750

Our Story

History, Mission, Affiliates & Board

 

the seed

& the sowers

Gazing out of their church office window to a professional arts building across the way, two young pastors imagined a place where people could go to find healing and hope in a loving, professional atmosphere.  The two pastors, Dr. William Enright and Dr. Charles Alcorn, were serving the First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn at the time. Their decision to pursue the idea in earnest came with their congregation’s blessing and eventual formation of a “Living Mission Fund.”  This fund and a subsequent endowment led to the Center’s start-up.  Seven other local churches and parishes soon joined in support.

So in the fall of 1976, with a few pieces of hand-me-down furniture and the use of an office in the basement of the First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, the Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center officially opened its doors. Dr. Charles Alcorn served as the Center’s first executive director.

growth
& maturity

As our staff grew and the number of clients we served increased, additional office space became a critical need.  Our search was ended in 1992 when the First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton graciously offered to house our offices in their unused Manse. The Manse was a lovely, home-like setting that fit us well.  During our seven years there, we expanded our educational services with unique and creative programing while also growing our clinical services to include internships for student therapists. Our affiliations with local churches also grew to include more than 25 Catholic and Protestant congregations.

In 1999, we learned that the Manse was scheduled to be raised as part of a major expansion project by the church, generating the need once more for new office space.  When no suitable space materialized, the board and staff began to consider the only option left – to purchase a commercial property. With the aid and support of our affiliate churches and members of the community, we were able to purchase space in the Mona Kea office complex. In the spring of 1999, the Center moved into its first permanent home.

deeply rooted

firmly established

Now, years later, we look back on our relocation “crisis” as the blessing that helped secure our future. It was during this time that the Center’s endowment was established through the DuPage Foundation, which continues to strengthen the Center and secure its future.

In 2006, after 30 years at the helm, Dr. Alcorn stepped down from his role as Executive Director to take up the challenge of growing the Center’s endowment. He was followed by Dr. James Natter, who served as our second Executive Director until 2021 when he moved out of state. Today, the Center is in great hands under the leadership of Dr. Nancy Cochran, our current Executive Director.

 

Our Mission:

Founded in Christian traditions, Central DuPage Pastoral Counseling Center welcomes everyone, inspires hope, and facilitates healing. Skilled, licensed therapists apply the perspectives of psychology, physiology, spirituality, and culture in providing integrated therapeutic care and educational services. 

 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Jer 29:11

Our Affiliates

        Faith Lutheran Church
41 N. Park Blvd – Glen Ellyn
630-469-2361

    First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn
550 N. Main St – Glen Ellyn
630-469-2007

    Gary United Methodist Church
224 N. Main St – Wheaton
630-668-3100

Grace Lutheran Church of Bensenville
950 S York Rd – Bensenville
630-766-3030

   Grace Lutheran Church of Glen Ellyn
493 Forest Ave – Glen Ellyn
630-469-1555

   Hope Presbyterian Church
1771 S. Wiesbrook Rd – Wheaton
630-668-7750

    St. Matthew United Church of Christ
1420 Gables Blvd – Wheaton
630-665-1236

St. Paul Lutheran Church
515 S. Wheaton Ave – Wheaton
630-668-5953

 

First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn
535 Forest Ave – Glen Ellyn
630-469-3096

First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton
715 Carlton – Wheaton
630-668-5147

Glen Ellyn Evangelical Covenant Church
277 Hawthorne – Glen Ellyn
630-469-5405

Holy Cross Lutheran Church
802 E. Geneva Rd – Wheaton
630-665-1515

Peace Lutheran Church
21W500 Butterfield Rd – Lombard
630-627-1101 

St. Michael Catholic Church
310 S. Wheaton Ave – Wheaton
630-665-2250

St. Petronille Parish
420 Glenwood – Glen Ellyn
630-469-0404

Trinity Episcopal Church
130 N. West St – Wheaton
630-665-1101

Our Associates

 

Calvary Episcopal
105 West Maple – Lombard
630-620-8899

    Community Presbyterian Church
1111 E. Madison – Lombard
630-627-0306

   St. Isidore Parish
427 W. Army Trail Rd – Bloomingdale
630-529-3045

   St. John Lutheran Church
410 N. Cross St – Wheaton
630-668-0701

 St. Luke Evangelical Lutheran Church
23W080 Butterfield Rd – Glen Ellyn
630-469-5552

St. Paul Lutheran Church
515 S. Wheaton Ave – Wheaton
630-668-5953

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
331 W. George St – West Chicago
630-231-1175

Christ Community Church
602 E. Geneva Rd – Wheaton
630-665-2259

Corpus Christi Catholic Church
1415 Lies Road – Carol Stream
630-483-4673 

St. Daniel the Prophet Church
101 West Loop Rd – Wheaton
630-682-5003

St. James the Apostle Catholic Church
480 S. Park Blvd – Glen Ellyn
630-469-7540

St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church
0S233 Church St – Winfield
630-668-0918

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
393 Main St – Glen Ellyn
630-858-1020

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church
331 W. George St – West Chicago
630-231-1175

 

 

 

Our Board:

Patricia Boggs

Galena Bible Church

Bio coming soon.

Ann Flansburg

First Presbyterian Church, Wheaton

Ann has been a resident of Wheaton for 45 years. She has been involved with several non-profit organizations in DuPage County including We Grow Dreams, Midwest Shelter for Homeless Veterans, and Watts of Love. Ann has been a member of First Presbyterian Church of Wheaton for 34 years, where she has served as Deacon, Elder and Coordinator of the Caritas Ministry for over 10 years. 
 
Professionally, Ann worked for over 25 years at The Advertising Agency Group and currently works at the Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce.  She also enjoys time with  Fiona,  her therapy dog,  as they regularly visit at Wyndemere Senior Living Community and Hadley Middle School. She is passionate about the needs of accessibility for mental health services.

Richard Flansburg

First Presbyterian Church, Wheaton

Richard is a lifelong resident of the Wheaton/Glen Ellyn area. He graduated from Glenbard West High School and University of Tulsa where he majored in Journalism.

Professionally Rich, now retired, worked his entire career in advertising. He was an owner of The Advertising Agency Group, an agency specializing in financial services advertising, and Principal of 121 Marketing Resources, Inc., an advertising and marketing agency which he founded in 1990. Now he is a photographer specializing in street and fine art photography.

Rich worked with other CDPCC Board Members to create the traveling photography exhibit, “When My Other Normal Isn’t Normal – Looking at mental health issues through photography.” The exhibit travels to various churches throughout central DuPage County.

He and his wife, Ann, have two daughters and three grandchildren.  

Lora Schofield Ilhardt, Secretary

First Congregational Church, Glen Ellyn

Lora has been a member of First Congregational for over 25 years and is very active in the music programs there as a harpist, guitarist, and a member of the choir and the recorder group.  She majored in music at Middlebury College, but then completely changed direction and attended Harvard Law School to practice law. She has worked as an attorney at Chapman and Cutler in Chicago and also Sara Lee Corporation.

Lora lives with her husband in Glen Ellyn and has three grown sons and a daughter. She also works at the Glen Ellyn Walk-in Ministry.

Eric Peterson, President

First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn

Erik has resided in the Glen Ellyn/Wheaton area since 1996. He brings extensive community leadership and business experience to CDPCC.  Erik is missions elder at the First Presbyterian Church of Glen Ellyn overseeing a 12-member missions council that actively supports over 22 local, national and international partners. In 2018, Erik co-founded One Community, a local non-profit focused on celebrating the rich diversity of people and cultures in DuPage county.

In addition, Eric has volunteered for many area civic and community service organizations including: DuPage PADS, Community Arts Partners, Glen Ellyn Infant Welfare Society, League of Women Voters, Children’s Resource Center, and others.

Professionally, Erik founded a digital marketing design firm called Elumin in 2001, which served local businesses, non-profits and Christian organizations. In 2014 he took a leadership role as senior digital strategist at an international digital design agency, collaborating with staff across the world.

Eric Wulf, Treasurer

St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Glen Ellyn

Eric resides in Wheaton with his wife and two daughters. He grew up in the western suburbs of Chicago and graduated from the University of Iowa (BA) and Union University (MBA). He joined St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in 2008 after previously serving as a member and deacon at Idlewild Presbyterian Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Professionally, Eric is the chief executive officer of International Carwash Association.

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Affordable, compassionate care since 1976